Refrigeration apparatus



L. ROEBEL REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Nov. 7, 1933.

Filed Nov. 1. 1930 /n Ven/for tionscausing compression and suction.

Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED ls'iliras 4 REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Ludwig Roebel, Mannheim, Germany Application November 1, 1930, serial No. 492,692, and in Germany August 22,- 1930 7 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in refrigeration apparatus.

Compressors are well known in which centrifugal forces are evolved by giving the compressor cylinders a rotation about the main axis of the machine, as well as about their individual axes, the said centrifugal forces being utilized to drive the pistons in both direc- This principle has been applied in many ways in the design of compressors for refrigerating machines. In such machines, where thetwo axes of rotation lie either parallel or inclined toone another, dimculties are often encountered in utilizing elsewhere the cooling effect developed inside the evaporating chamber and in transmitting this effect to the circulating cooling medium. In every case, tubes are used either with sealing glands between them and the rotating parts, as is specially the case when the axes of rotation are parallel, or, on the other hand, tubes for example of the flexible pattern which partially swing with the rotating parts, this arrangement being more commonly used when the axes of rotation are inclined to one another. From a practical point. of View however, these systems are entirely unsuitable.

The sealing must be absolutely tight to the outside, not only in View of the dangerwhich may arise due to the refrigerant gases, but also in view of the cost of the gases lost. Tubes which swing with the rotating parts are unref liable in service.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide improved refrigeration apparatus which avoids the various disadvantages'referred to in the constructions proposed heretofore. Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In apparatus representing one embodiment of my invention, the evaporating chamberis surrounded by a container holding the cooled medium, which container' lies in the main axis of rotation of the machine. The necessity of glands for the tubes is entirely avoided by this special design. v'Ihe transfer of the heat from the circulating medium to the refrigerant (refrigerating effect) is uninterrupted. This a1'- rangement is exceedingly reliable.

My invention resides in the improved apparatus and method of operation of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, an embodiment thereof is shown in the drawing,

which is an elevational View, partly in section.

' is revolved about the axis 1.

tion and 2 the pulley by which the refrigerator The second axis 3, about which the refrigerator is caused to rotate, is inclined to the main axis and rotates in ball bearings 6 arranged as shown in the sup- 60 porting structure 4 which is keyed to and rotates with the main shaft 1, and in the cooling medium container 5. The evaporating chamber 'Z and the cooling-medium container 5 are supported as shown for rotation about the main axis.

vThe refrigerator is caused to rotate about its own axis 3 by means of the gear wheels 8 and 9, since the gear wheel 9 is fixed in the frame of the machine and doesl not revolve. The weight l11 is arranged opposite the compressor, and balances the centrifugal forces set up by the cylinder, gear Wheel, etc. The refrigerant, l helped by the spiral tube 13 with the scoop-L shaped opening 14, is drawn from the evaporating chamber through the tube 15 by the suction i stroke of the piston 12. It is then compressed and forced through the stop valve 16,- the equalizing space 17', the tube 18 and the jet 19 into the evaporating chamber.

The evaporating chamber is always submerged in the cooling medium held in the container 5. The cooling medium rotates about the main axis of r tation and is circulated to the point Where coo gis to be done by means ofthe tube 20 having a scoop-shaped mouth 21 which converts the kinetic energy. The mediumis after wards returned by means of the tube 22.

I claim as my invention:

1. In refrigeration apparatus, a refrigerating unit supported for rotation -about a given axis and forwrevolution bodily about a different axis to which said given axis is inclined, and means for effecting such rotation and revolution of said unit simultaneously.

2. In refrigeration apparatus, structuresealed at all points over its outer surface against ingress'of fluid to or egress of fluid from its interior, means for compressing a refrigerant, a portionof said structure containing and providing a compression chamber for said compessing means, another portion of said structure conlstituting an evaporating chamber, said structure provided with a passage for admitting the compressed refrigerant from the compression chamber to the evaporating chamber, said structure provided with a passage for permitting return of the refrigerant from the evaporating chamber back to said compressing means, and means supporting said structure for rotation about a given axis and for revolution bodily about another axis to which said given axis is inclined.

3. Refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized further by the fact that said compressing means includes a piston supported for free reciprocatory movement and which is reciprocated by centrifugal forces developed incident to the revolution of said structure bodily about said second-named axis.

4. In refrigeration apparatus, a self-contained refrigerating unit comprising a compressor section and an evaporating section, and means supporting said unit for rotation about a given axis and for revolution bodily about another axis to which said given axis is inclined and which said given axisintersects.

5. In refrigeration apparatus, supporting structure comprising a casing section and a part spaced therefrom, said structure supported for rotation, and a refrigerating unit supported by said structure for rotation about an axis inclined to and` intersecting the axis about which said structure rotates, said unit comprising a compressor section disposed between said casing and said part and an evaporating section disposed in said casing section for rotation substantiallyabout the point of intersection of said axes.

6. In refrigeration apparatus, a self-contained refrigerating unit comprising a compressor section and an evaporating section supplied thereby with compressed refrigerant; said compressor section including a cylinder provided in its wall structure with inlet openings, and a piston disposed and freely reciprocable in said cylinder and operable to open and close said openings alternately upon reciprocation in said cylinder; and means supporting said unit for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the cylinder axis and for revolution bodily about an axis at an acute angle to the axis of rotation.

'7. In refrigeration apparatus, a container for a cooling medium supported for rotation about a given axis, means for withdrawing cooling medium from said container and means for supplying cooling medium to said container and a refrigerating unit supported for rotation about an axis at an acute angle to said given axis and provided With an evaporating section disposed Within said container for rotation also about said given axis.

LUDWIG ROEBEL. 

